Convenience store group Centra has announced a 13% increase in Irish sales to €850m for the year ending December 2003. The growth follows an 18% retail turnover increase during the previous 12 months.
During 2003, Centra added another 21 stores to its chain and it now has a total of 347 franchised outlets in the Republic, with a workforce over 8,000 people.
The company is predicting the addition of 40 new stores this year with the creation of 600 new jobs. Another 250 jobs are also expected through the extension and refurbishment of a further 50 stores.
Centra's franchise operator, Musgrave SuperValue-Centra, will open a new €35m warehousing and distribution operation in Kilcock, Co Kildare in September to meet its growing marketshare.
The group held its National Conference in Killarney, Co Kerry today. Delegates there heard that the chain's growth is attributed to a shift in consumer shopping habits and preferences, and a move towards convenience formats. Delegates also heard that the company's growth is ahead of the current single digit growth in the supermarket sector.
